Every homeowner needs to carefully consider what sort of air filter will be used in the house. A 3M Filtrete air filter from a place like Your Filter Connection is a good place to start, but there are many varieties of air filter to choose from. The homeowner needs to match the health needs of the family to the air filters that are placed in the furnace and the air conditioner.[Read more…]

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sudafed. When you don’t feel good, it’s one of the absolute worst things in the world. One of the worst kinds of pains is sinus pain. I happen to be one of those that suffer from intense sinus-related migraines, and these headaches can become incapacitating. One of the things that can help me relieve this pain is Sudafed.

One of the onsets of these headaches, for me at least, is changes in the weather. Changes in the atmospheric pressure make my head want to implode. And these headaches make me want to find a spoon and scoop out my eye. Yes, that would relieve the pressure and make everything better! Once the pressure starts to subside, though, it’s like sweet, sweet relief. I would be willing to swear that I even hear angels singing. [Read more…]

I don’t know about you, but in my area, we’ve had a fairly mild winter. Due to this, our trees are starting to bud out, and you know what that means – allergy season is right around the corner. I am so not ready for the itchy, watery eyes, the sneezing, or the turning into a snot factory.

There are some things you can do to help combat seasonal allergies.

Combat mold in your home. The main way to do this is to keep everything dry, as mold needs a damp habitat to grow.

Wash your shower curtain with bleach every few months. It needs to be cleaned anyway, and those spots on the bottom? They’re usually mold. Gross, right?

Run your heat and air conditioning. In the winter, when you keep your heat above 65 degrees, it helps to dry out the air in your home, which helps to inhibit the growth of mold. In the summer, the air conditioning helps to filter the outside air of contaminants. You can even get a filter for your forced air system that helps cut down on the contaminants even more.

Keep control of the dust.

Take your shoes off when you come into the house. Your shoes track all kinds of dirt and debris from the outdoors.

Vacuum regularly. It’s amazing what’s hiding in your carpet when you think it’s super-clean. Remember to change your vacuum bag or filter regularly. Don’t forget to vacuum your closets, under the bed and tables, and those other hidden spots.

If you have a pet, keep them brushed and bathed. Many people are allergic to pet hair and dander, and they can create lots of extra dust.

Get your carpets and furniture steam-cleaned. It can help to kill whatever might be hiding. There are lots of services that can do this for you. Click for more info.

Watch what you eat.

Many foods can cause allergy-like symptoms. Monosodium benzoate, an additive found in many canned foods, and trans oleic acid, which is found in beef, have both been shown to trigger allergies and allergy-like symptoms.

Conversely, kiwi, oranges, and other foods that are high in vitamin C can help the body’s natural antibodies kick into gear.

Medications

While I prefer to combat allergies before they begin, sometimes you need some additional help. Personally, I can generally manage on OTC medications. If you want something more natural, fish oil supplements, vitamins A & E, and many herbs are all believed to aid in the relief of allergies.

Hopefully, this helps us all to combat seasonal allergies this year! What’s your best allergen-fighting tip?

Waterpik, the brand we all know and love, has come out with a new sinus washing system called SinuSense. I was given the opportunity to take it for a test drive.

SinuSense is similar to a Neti pot, in the fact that it rinses your sinuses with warm water to flush out the sinus cavity. It’s supposed to rinse out the allergens, like pollen, dust, and smoke as well as thick mucous. SinuSense is different, though, as it’s battery operated and has a gentle pulsating flow. You can also control the flow of the water, with the trigger rather than by trial and error.

Hmmm…sounds interesting. We’re hardcore allergy sufferers here, and with the early Spring/lack of winter, they’re in full effect. I’d much rather have a natural solution than be dependent upon allergy pills. [Read more…]

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About Me

Originally from the west coast, currently living in the Midwest. Avid DIY-er, lover of fashion and travel, and slightly obsessed with trivia. You can never go wrong with glitter, nail polish or hockey.